Germany’s Federal Association of the Security Industry (BDSW) has restructured its Legal Affairs Committee, appointing Nils Böttger as Chairman and Daniel Schimmöller as Deputy Chairman. The committee will address key legal and regulatory challenges facing the private security industry, with particular emphasis on security legislation, critical infrastructure protection, labour law and collective bargaining.

The newly constituted Legal Affairs Committee of the BDSW has officially commenced its work. Its members elected Nils Böttger, an authorised signatory at VSU Vereinigte Sicherheitsunternehmen GmbH, as Chairman. Daniel Schimmöller, Head of Legal Affairs and Insurance at KÖTTER GmbH & Co. KG Verwaltungsdienstleistungen, was appointed Deputy Chairman. BDSW representative John Härtel will coordinate the committee’s activities on behalf of the association.

The inaugural meeting highlighted the range of regulatory challenges confronting Germany’s private security industry. Discussions covered the Working Time Act, the proposed Security Industry Act, Germany’s Critical Infrastructure Framework Act (KRITIS-Dachgesetz) and the European Union’s NIS2 Directive.

Regulatory Requirements and Critical Infrastructure Protection

Particular attention was given to the evolving legal framework governing private security services. The proposed Security Industry Act addresses fundamental requirements for commercial security operations, while the KRITIS Framework Act and NIS2 introduce requirements relating to critical infrastructure resilience and cybersecurity.

For security service providers, these developments create important intersections between regulatory compliance, organisational security measures and the practical implementation of protection strategies. Companies providing services to critical infrastructure operators must increasingly consider overlapping legal obligations and client-specific security requirements.

Another key issue discussed by the committee was the legal consequences of failing to meet reliability requirements. Such provisions are particularly relevant to the security industry, where professional reliability and eligibility are essential prerequisites for carrying out certain security-related activities.

Labour Law and Collective Bargaining

In addition to regulatory matters, committee members reviewed upcoming collective bargaining negotiations, statutory minimum wage requirements and recent developments in labour law.

Working time regulations are particularly significant for security companies operating around the clock, including those providing shift-based guarding, night-time security and continuous site protection. Changes to the legal framework can directly affect workforce planning, operational procedures and the pricing of security services.

Through its restructured Legal Affairs Committee, the BDSW aims to bring together legal expertise and practical experience from its member companies. The committee will monitor legislative developments, support the association’s policy and technical work, and provide a forum for regular discussions on the legal environment affecting the industry.

As regulatory requirements continue to evolve, this work is becoming increasingly relevant. Labour legislation, industry-specific regulation and new obligations relating to critical infrastructure protection are shaping the operational and strategic environment of private security providers.

Source: BDSW, Press Release 18/2026, 9 October 2026.